Featured Image: A photograph of the book release | Credits: PIB
The book “Battle Ready for 21st Century” was released by General Bipin Rawat, CDS and General Deepak Kapoor, Former Chief of the Army Staff at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) on 17 March 2021.
The book has been co-edited by Lt. Gen. AK Singh, Distinguished Fellow, CLAWS and Brig. Narender Kumar, Visiting Fellow, CLAWS.
According to a press release, the book “endeavour[s] to postulate and define emerging areas of conflict, desired capabilities and doctrinal issues that need careful examination”. It adds that the book assumes great significance in view of the restructuring of India’s armed forces in integrated theatre commands and cross-domain operations.
“The authors with hands-on experience and domain specialisation have endeavoured to define and suggest the ways and means necessary to secure India from emerging security challenges on land, air, sea, space, cyber domain and even cognitive domain”, the press release states.
The book, centered around the conflicts that India may face in the future, elaborates upon the country’s need to “build capabilities to dissuade and prevent accidental wars”.
The foreword of the book was written by former Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash. Former Chief of the Army Staff Gen NC Vij and Prof Gautam Sen have also commended the authors for empirically identifying future security challenges and the need for building capabilities.
“The book lays down the conceptual framework for the strategic management of future conflicts. The conventional land forces in Indian context still remains irreplaceable to capture, hold and deny ground to the adversaries. As a result, focus remains on land forces, especially while dealing with the threat from China and Pakistan”, states the press release.
“The essays have imaginatively covered grey zone conflict, urban warfare and mountain warfare, along with dynamic military strategies to secure India. The “Two Front” dilemma is no longer an illusion, but an ongoing reality. For too long the ISR domain has remained an Achilles heel for India. The author of this essay has identified the gaps and suggested pragmatic measures to overcome these.”
“The important aspect of doctrinal innovation has rightly been linked to visionary leadership and aligned to professional military education. The book is a must-read for members of higher defence organisation, military professionals and academicians”, the press release adds.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.